GRAZIA’S LATEST #STYLECRUSH: breakthrough actress Kiki Layne

She's drawn critical acclaim for her breakout role in If Beale Street Could Talk, but Layne's wicked style sense is what had us at hello

We’re just two weeks into the star-studded movie awards season but already two questions keep bouncing around the GRAZIA office long after the ceremonies ended on our giant office television.

One: “What do you think Gaga will wear to the Oscars?” (Assuming of course that she’s nominated and likely to win for Best Original Song at the very least).

And two: “OMG, who IS that Kiki Layne and why have we never noticed her before?”

The answer to the why part of the latter is simple: Layne’s first major movie role was as the lead in If Beale Street Could Talk, a critically-acclaimed drama based on the best-selling book of the same name. In it, 26-year-old Layne, who has a degree in acting from DePaul University, plays Tish, a woman trying to get her wrongly-accused husband out of jail before the birth of their child.

Clearly, she’s beautiful, but what we’re loving is her sense of humour, even at the most high-brow red carpet soirees. Any woman who rocks a nose ring at a fashion show one week then looks princess-like in couture at the Golden Globes during the next, clearly has style sass in spades.

Layne might be as unknown as Gaga is phenomenally famous, but this clever Cincinnati native has fashion cred in spades – and this is only just the beginning.

We predict she’ll give the equally talented singer a run for her money as the best-dressed star at the Academy Awards this year. Quite frankly, we love them both so let’s just call it a tie. (How very Critics’ Choice 2019… we love seeing two women #winning together.)

THE LOWDOWN

Name: Kiandra (Kiki) Layne

Nationality: American

Known for: her breakthrough performance in much-lauded 2018 drama film If Beale Street Could Talk. She’s also starred in several smaller-budget movies since graduation.

While Layne could carry off any ballgown with grace, she most often opts for dresses with a fitted bodice and statement skirt. She’s not afraid to embrace colour and loves jewel detailing, off-set with some small element that shows her rebellious streak. A chic minimalist this woman is not.

Kiki Layne in Dior Couture at the Golden Globes 2019

Kiki Layne at the Mill Valley Film Festival 2019

Kiki Layne in Ralph and Russo at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences 10th annual Governors Awards 2018

Kiki Layne at the Critics' Choice Awards 2019

2. Her party event VIBE

An extension of her red carpet vibes, but stepped up several notches. Given the luxury labels are now scrambling to dress her, you’ll often see the actress in a head-to-toe runway look, much like the Chanel or Gucci two-pieces she’s wearing in the gallery below. Again, rebel elements feature heavily, whether its Adidas trainers with a disco-sequinned Gucci mini, sweet side buns twists from her braided extensions or the nose ring she often teams with otherwise elevated cocktail looks.

Kiki Layne in a head-to-toe Gucci runway look at a Beale Street premiere

Kiki Layne in a Gucci dress and Adidas kicks at the Beale Street premiere during the Toronto Film Festival. (Credit: Instagram @kikilayne)

Kiki Layne in Valentino at the Golden Globes after-party

Kiki Layne at a TIFF Celebration in 2018

Kiki Layne in Chanel at the BAFTA Awards nomination lunch

Kiki Layne at the TIFF Entertainment Weekly's Must List Party 2018

3. her fashion week STYLE

This lady puts the G back into the moniker Gucci Gurl. Clearly a friend of the brand and Michele’s out-there aesthetic, she’s often spotted wearing its gear off-duty and at party events. That’s not to say she’s all gold brocade, jewelled chunky trainers and wild sunglasses 365 days. The chic blush-toned Dior look she wore to a show afterparty hosted by GQ in Los Angeles (see the gallery below) was as minimalist as you’ll ever see Layne (fabulous hair included) but still packed a punch.

Kiki Layne puts her own spin on head-to-toe Gucci at the brand's Cruise 2019 show

After the Gucci Cruise 2019 show. (Credit: Instagram @kikilayne)

Kiki Layne in Dior at a show afterparty in Los Angeles

4. Her off-duty LOOK

More is more is clearly her mantra, whether on the movie promo rounds or off-the-clock. Layne’s clearly a fan of the late ’80s street style and leans to retro-look stone-wash denim, cartoon-vibe prints, neon, chunky trainers and oversized earrings. It takes confidence to rock out-there clothes in a regular everyday arena, but that’s clearly something this talented performer has in spades. Official style crush status: confirmed.

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